The first Civil War, 1642-46 (There were 124 lay peers when the Long Parliament first sat). The King dominated the North and West of England, Parliament the South and East. (A number of towns in Royalist areas supported Parliament; and some gentlemen in Parliamentary areas - particularly Kent - sympathized with the King). Throughout the country there were "neutralists" who wanted to prevent conflict in their own neighborhoods (NIMBY). The King had a number of extremely wealthy supporters: William Cavendish , Earl of Newcastle (who was rewarded by being made a Marquess in 1643 and a Duke in 1665) spent about ï¿½700,000 in the King's service. The army of "Whitecoats" he financed held the North for Charles. Henry Somerset, 5th Earl and 1st Marquess of Worcester spent about ï¿½900,000 on the Royalist cause. (His home, Raglan Castle, one of the great medieval castles of Wales was finally taken after a Parliamentary siege in 1646 ).

Parliament's great advantage lay in its control of London and South-East England - by far the country's richest region. Charles' forces were initially better led. His nephew, Prince Rupert of the Rhine brought the experience of soldiering in the Thirty Years war to the English theatre. Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex, was the first leader of Parliament's army. He had commanded a regiment in the Netherlands but he proved a lackluster commander. Essex' cousin, Robert Rich, 2nd Earl of Warwick (another Providence Island Company shareholder) took decisive action to seize for Parliament control of the navy that Charles had so well-equipped on the proceeds from Ship Money. Both sides included hardliners, who simply wanted to defeat their enemies, especially, George, Lord Digby on the Royalist side. Sir Henry Vane , Sir Henry Marten, Oliver Cromwell, and Lord Saye and Sele were the most outspoken on the parliamentarian side. There were also many moderates, eager to reach some compromise: Lucius Cary, 2nd Viscount Falkland and Edward Hyde led the Royalist moderates.

Denzil Holles, supported by Bulstrode Whitelock, John Maynard and John Glynne headed the "peace party" in the House of Commons. In Parliament, a "middle group" under Oliver St. John and John Pym maintained a balance of sorts, but after Pym's death in December 1643, it became more difficult to paper over Parliament's internal divisions. The indecisive Battle of Edgehill had left the road to London open, but Charles procrastinated and by the time he marched on the City, its defences had been completed. Charles never had another opportunity to seize the capitol. Sir Ralph Hopton (1598-1652) like Prince Rupert had military experience in the Thirty Years War. He commanded Charles' forces in the West of England, and in 1643 defeated the parliamentarians at Bradock Down (19 January) and Stratton (16 May), Cornwall. In 1643, Prince Rupert gained two important victories in the Battle of Roundway Down (July 10-13) and in seizing Bristol (July 15-26).

Royalist Forces under the Earl of Newcastle defeated Thomas Fairfax's Parliamentarians at Adwalton Moor (30 June 1643) and so gained control of all the North of England except for Hull. These victories in the North and West enabled Charles to plan for an attack on London, but before he could go ahead, the Royalists had to ensure the safety of Oxford by defeating the small Parliamentary force in Gloucester. 10 August 1643, Charles laid siege to Gloucester . Parliament decided that it could not afford to loose this town and sent an army from London to relieve the City. The Royalist army intercepted the relievers under Essex at the First Battle of Newbury (20 September 1643) and forced them to fight. The Parliamentarian forces inflicted heavy casualties on the Royalists, who ran out of ammunition, and Essex was able to retreat to London. Parliament saw this as their first real victory. Charles might have taken advantage of his stronger position in 1643 to negotiate a favorable peace, but he still hoped to defeat the rebellion entirely. 2. The Solemn League and Covenant .

"That we shall sincerely, really and constantly, through the grace of God, endeavor in our several places and callings, the preservation of the reformed religion in the Church of Scotland, in doctrine, worship, discipline and government, against our common enemies; the reformation of religion in the kingdoms of England and Ireland, in doctrine, worship, discipline and government, according to the Word of God, and the example of the best reformed Churches; ï¿½" The Solemn League and Covenant. Scotland was deeply concerned by the Royalist victories of early 1643, since its Presbyterian leaders feared that if Charles subdued Parliament's opposition, he would then use his army to reduce the Scots to obedience. Parliament was eager for help from a Scots army, so their commissioners agreed to the Solemn League and Covenant . The Scots believed that this bound the English to establish Presbyterian government in the English Church. (The treaty actually stated that England would model its church on the "best-reformed" churches: - The Scots took for granted that this meant their church; the English did not. Sir Henry Vane also added the phrase "and according to the word of God" to give the English more wiggle room).

Parliament called the Westminster Assembly to advise it on the government and doctrine of the Church of England. It convened 1 July 1643 and was made up largely of ministers from Parliamentary-controlled areas, and a few laymen appointed by Parliament. A delegation of Scottish Commissioners also attended the proceedings. The House of Commons and the Westminster Assembly took the Solemn League and Covenant, 25 September 1643. England then sent Scotland the money to raise and equip an army. 19 January 1644, a Scottish army of 20,000 commanded by Alexander Leslie, Earl of Leven (1580-1661) crossed the border. Leslie had served for many years in the Thirty Years War as a commander in the Swedish army. 3. The Eastern Association The counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire joined their military resources together in the Eastern Association. The commander of the Eastern Association army was Edward Montagu, Earl of Manchester (1602-71). A friend of Charles in his youth, he was the only peer that Charles tried to arrest along with the Five Members .

Montagu had fought at Edgehill and was a competent organizer and leader. The Eastern Association's most inspiring leader was Manchester's deputy, Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658). As Member of Parliament for Huntingdon, Cromwell firmly adhered to those who wanted to curb Charles I's powers strictly. He was a committed puritan in religion, and promoted men on the basis of their commitment to the cause of defeating King and Bishops. Charles I attempted to counter Parliament's Scottish alliance, by himself making peace with Irish. This allowed him to transfer forces from Ireland to England, but it thoroughly alarmed the many moderates who feared the Irish Catholics. The Scottish invasion forced Newcastle's army to halt at York, and protect its rear. Simultaneously, the Eastern Association army marched north in Yorkshire. They met at the Battle of Marston Moor (2 July 1644). The Royalists under Prince Rupert and the Marquess of Newcastle were completely defeated by combined armies of Scotland and Parliament. York surrendered, 16 July 1644, and all of the North fell under Parliament's control.

Decisive victory over the King was prevented by the Earl of Manchester's irresolute inactivity and by Royalist successes against Essex in the South-West. "If we beat the king ninety-nine times he is king still, and so will his posterity be after him; but if the king beat us once, we shall be all hanged, and our posterity be made slaves." Edward Montagu. 4. The Self-Denying Ordinance Angered by the half-heartedness of the military command, Oliver Cromwell and other Members of Parliament passed the Self-Denying Ordinance (19 December 1644). This required all Members of Parliament to resign their commissions in the armed forces. A slightly revised version of the Self-Denying Ordinance (3 April 1645) allowed Members of Parliament to be re-appointed to military command. Oliver Cromwell resigned his place as did Essex and Manchester, but he was re-appointed whereas they were not. Parliament then reorganized the army under a single chain of command, 19 February 1645. This New Model Army was not only staffed by zealous officers, it was also regularly paid - an innovation that increased its fighting efficiency.

Sir Thomas Fairfax (1612-71) was a Yorkshireman, known as "Black Tom" on account of his swarthy complexion. He fought with the Dutch in the Thirty Years War. Parliament appointed him Lord General of the New Model Army, with Cromwell as his second-in-command. Another key commander was Henry Ireton (1611-1651). Ireton had married Oliver Cromwell's eldest daughter. He commanded one wing of the Parliamentary army at the Battle of Naseby. At the Battle of Naseby , 14 June 1645 , the New Model Army crushed the outnumbered and outmaneuvered Royalist army. 5. The defeat of Charles I Even after the defeat at Naseby, Charles I hoped to recover his position. The king placed his hopes in James Graham, 5th Earl of Montrose (1612-50). Montrose had first fought with the covenanters against Charles, but then changed sides and was created 1st Marquess of Montrose in 1644 and made lieutenant general of Charles' forces in Scotland - mostly highlanders, with some Irish auxiliaries.

Initially, Montrose was victorious in a series of battles against the covenanters. But when he marched on the Lowlands, hoping they would rise in favor of the king, most of the highlanders deserted him. Montrose, with a small force of Irish at Philiphaugh (13 September 1645) was attacked by Leslie, whose forces outnumbered them three to one. Montrose fled and the Irish surrendered on promise of their lives. This promise Leslie (egged on by Presbyterian ministers) soon broke - killing not only most of the Irish soldiers, but many of their camp followers, women and children. In England, Parliament's armies mopped up the remaining Royalist strongholds. Sherborne Castle in Dorset was captured, 14 August 1645. Prince Rupert surrendered Bristol, 10 September 1645. Cromwell took Devizes ,Winchester, and finally Basing House , 14 October 1645. Charles I marched his army North, but so many soldiers deserted that by the time he reached Newark, it was apparent that his cause was lost.

5 May 1646, Charles surrendered to the Scots, hoping that he could negotiate a better deal with them than with Parliament. First Battle of Newbury - English Civil War English Civil War English Civil War: First Battle of Newbury King Charles I of England. Photograph Source: Public Domain Updated November 16, 2015. First Battle of Newbury - Conflict & Date: The First Battle of Newbury was fought September 20, 1643, during the English Civil War (1642-1651). Armies & Commanders Prince Rupert of the Rhine Sir John Byron 14,500 men First Battle of Newbury - Background: In the wake of the 1642 Battle of Edgehill , Royalist forces under King Charles I advanced towards London. En route, they captured Banbury, Oxford, and Reading before being halted by the Earl of Essex at the Battle of Turnham Green. In April 1643, Parliamentarian forces re-captured Reading while Charles' army was in winter quarters at Oxford. Despite this success, Essex's army suffered from widespread disease and proved unable to attack Charles directly.

With the situation stalemated near London, Royalist forces in the west won a string of victories during the summer which culminated with Prince Rupert of the Rhine storming Bristol in late July. Having united his western and Oxford armies for the operations against Bristol, Charles met with his commanders to decide their next move. After extensive discussions, he determined to allow the Western Army to operate independently against remaining Parliamentarian outposts in Dorset and Cornwall while the Oxford Army advanced on Gloucester. First Battle of Newbury - Siege of Gloucester: Moving against Gloucester, the Royalists believed that the city could be taken without a fight. This was due to intelligence that suggested its commander, Sir Edward Massie, might be willing to change allegiances. In early August, Charles' army reached Gloucester and promptly had its demands for surrender rebuffed by Massie. As a result, the Royalists were forced to begin siege operations. Despite active raiding by the city's garrison, the Royalists completed their siege lines and began bombarding Gloucester's defenses on August 12.

With Charles working to reduce Gloucester's defenses, Essex, now leading the only Parliamentarian army in the field, frantically worked to bolster his numbers so that he could move to the city's aid. Reinforced by the London Trained Bands, he began moving west in late August. Battling heavy rains, the Parliamentarian army reached Gloucester on September 5 and encamped at Prestbury Hill. First Battle of Newbury - Essex Retreats: Alerted to Essex's arrival, Charles raised the siege and withdrew to the south. Though he relieved Gloucester's garrison, Essex's situation was precarious as he was unable to maintain his supply lines east. As a result, he began making preparations to retreat back towards London. Aware of Essex's predicament, Charles sought to block the Parliamentarian's route to the capital and inflict a decisive defeat. On September 10, Essex crossed the River Severn with the goal of convincing the Royalists that he was making for Worcester. The ruse worked as Charles moved his army north to Evesham. Four nights later, Essex conducted a forced march south from Tewkesbury with the intention of reaching London via Swindon, Newbury, and Reading.

Passing through Cirencester the next day, the Parliamentarians surprised two Royalist cavalry regiments and captured supplies intended for Charles' army. Learning of Essex's change of course, Charles raced south. Advancing with Rupert's cavalry in the lead, the Royalists closed the distance quickly as Essex's men battled poor weather and muddy roads. Reaching Aldbourne Chase on September 18, Rupert engaged the Parliamentarian rear guard. The battle led to Essex crossing to the southern bank of the River Kennet which caused further delays. As a result, Charles was able to reach Newbury ahead of the Parliamentarians and establish a blocking position across the route to London. Arriving at Enborne, two miles west of Newbury, on September 19, Essex paused to rest and assess the situation. Bounded by the Rivers Kennet and Enborne, the terrain between the armies consisted of hedged and enclosed fields in the north, Round Hill in the center, and the open ground of Wash Common in the south.

First Battle of Newbury - The Armies Deploy: Forming for battle early on September 20, Essex placed his infantry in the center with Colonel John Middleton's cavalry on the left and Sir Philip Stapleton's cavalry on the right. The London Trained Bands were held behind the center as a reserve. Advancing early in the day, Essex quickly occupied Round Hill which Charles' men had failed to secure the previous day. Somewhat taken by surprise at the speed of the Parliamentarian advance, the Royalists quickly formed for battle. While Prince Rupert deployed on Wash Common with four of the army's five cavalry brigades, the Royalist infantry extended the line north. Having lost the key terrain feature of the battlefield, Royalist troops began operations to re-capture it. First Battle of Newbury - The Royalists Attack: In the north, Sir William Vavasour's Welsh Brigade pushed across the area's enclosed fields and soon put musketeers attached to Middleton's cavalry under heavy pressure. Due to the broken nature of the ground, the Parliamentarian horse could not operate effectively. To stabilize the situation, Essex's second-in-command, Major General Philip Skippon, dispatched reinforcements to Middleton.

Bolstering the Parliamentarian line, these men contained the Royalist advance and fighting devolved into a stalemate for the rest of the day. In the center, Lord Wentworth and Colonel George Lisle attempted to dislodge the Parliamentarians from Round Hill. Pushing forward, they were unable to breakthrough and Sir Nicholas Byron's infantry brigade came up in support. This combined force mounted a determined attack against the Parliamentarian line but were ultimately forced back. Requesting aid, Byron received two cavalry regiments led by his nephew, Sir John Byron. While their first charge was defeated by Parliamentarian fire, the second forced the enemy to fall back. Realizing that possession of the hill was in the balance, Skippon ordered elements of the London Trained Bands forward to seal the breach. Reaching the hill, they succeeded in turning back Byron's third charge. Counter-attacking, Essex's men drove the Royalists back down the hill. On Wash Common, Stapleton was just beginning to deploy when Rupert's cavalry attacked. Maintaining their position, the Parliamentarians held their fire until the Royalists were nearly upon them. Firing, they blunted the Royalist assault and threw it back.

A second charge by Rupert's men was also defeated with the aid of arriving infantry. Not to be deterred, Rupert surged forward a third time and succeeded in driving Stapleton's men back to the Bigg's Hill Lane. Despite the success, the Royalist advance remained blocked by Parliamentarian infantry. Recognizing the threat, Skippon directed the bulk of the London Trained Bands to move south and reinforce Stapleton. Forming, they succeeded in holding the line for the remainder of the day despite being pounded by Royalist artillery. Fighting ended that evening with both sides exhausted and the tactical situation in a stalemate. First Battle of Newbury - Aftermath: Meeting that night, Prince Rupert and Sir John Byron lobbied Charles in favor of renewing the battle in the morning. The king overruled them as the army's gunpowder supply was nearly exhausted and morale was low due to the heavy losses sustained in the day's fighting. As a result, he ordered a withdrawal from the field. As the sun rose, Essex expected the fighting to continue and was surprised to find that the Royalists had departed. Resuming his march on September 21, Essex and his army reached Reading the next day.

Pushing on, the army arrived at a jubilant London on September 28. In the fighting at the First Battle of Newbury, the Royalists sustained around 1,300 casualties while Parliamentarian losses numbered approximately 1,200. The First Battle of Newbury served as a high water mark for the Royalists in the conflict. Prior to the battle, Charles' power was in the ascent following the successes of the summer. Unable to destroy Essex, his cause began to fail as Royalist forces sustained devastating defeats at Marston Moor (1644), Naseby (1645), and Langport (1645). Captured in 1646, Charles was later executed by Parliament in 1649. With his death, the Royalist cause became embodied in his son, Charles II. Despite young king's efforts he was defeated at Worcester in 1651 and driven into exile. Selected Sources Timeline: The English Civil War, 1642-46 The Triennial Act passed, guaranteeing that Parliament will be called at least once every three years. Mar 22 Opening of the trial of the Earl of Strafford.

May 03 The House of Commons draws up the Protestation Oath against popery. May 05 John Pym reveals details of the "First Army Plot": an alleged conspiracy by Royalist officers to coerce Parliament. May 10 The King reluctantly assents to the act of attainder against the Earl of Strafford. May 12 Execution of the Earl of Strafford. Jul 05 Parliament abolishes the courts of High Commission and Star Chamber; the Council of Wales and the North abolished; powers of the Privy Council suppressed. Sep 01 The House of Commons passes a resolution for the destruction of altar rails, crucifixes and other 'innovations' introduced under the Laudian reforms. Oct 23 News of the Irish Uprising reaches London. Dec 01 The Grand Remonstrance presented to King Charles at Hampton Court. Dec 27-9 Riots at Westminster against bishops and papists. Popular support for Parliament forces the King and royal family to leave London. Feb 12 The King refuses to surrender control of the militia to Parliament. Mar 5 Parliament passes the Militia Ordinance , despite the King's objections.

Mar 19 King Charles sets up his court at York. Apr 23 Sir John Hotham prevents the King and his entourage from entering Hull , the site of England's main northern arsenal. Jun 01 The Nineteen Propositions passed by Parliament, requiring the King to give up control of the militia and the right to appoint ministers. Jun 06 The King issues the first Commissions of Array . Jun 18 The King rejects the Nineteen Propositions. Jul 02 The fleet declares for Parliament and accepts the Earl of Warwick as its Admiral. Jul 04 Parliament appoints the Committee of Safety . Jul 10 The first military action of the English Civil War takes place when a Royalist raiding party approaches Hull to burn down buildings outside the town walls, but is driven away by gunfire from the defenders. Jul 12 Parliament resolves to raise an army. The Earl of Essex commissioned Captain-General. Aug 21 Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice join the King. Aug 22 King Charles raises the royal standard at Nottingham Castle. King and Parliament now at war. Sep 07 Sir William Waller captures Portsmouth for Parliament. Sep 09 The Earl of Essex marches from London against the King.

Sep 23 Action at Powick Bridge near Worcester: Prince Rupert routs Essex's advance guard. Oct 23 Battle of Edgehill : the Earl of Essex fails to prevent the Royalists advancing on London. Nov 13 Royalist advance on London halted at Turnham Green . Nov 29 The King's army withdraws to Oxford which remains the Royalist capital for the rest of the war. Battle of Braddock Down : Sir Ralph Hopton defeats Colonel Ruthven and secures Cornwall for the King. Feb 01 Treaty negotiations open at Oxford. Mar 27 Parliament issues it first ordinance for sequestration (confiscation of Royalist estates). Apr 14 Oxford treaty negotiations break down. Apr 14 The Earl of Essex besieges Reading . Jun 30 Battle of Adwalton Moor : The Earl of Newcastle defeats Lord Fairfax to secure most of Yorkshire for the King. Jul 01 The Westminster Assembly meets to discuss reform of the Anglican church. Jul 13 Battle of Roundway Down : Sir William Waller's Western Association army destroyed. Jul 26 Bristol falls to Prince Rupert. Aug 10 The King's army besieges Gloucester .

Sep 02 The Scottish invasion : the Army of the Covenant crosses the River Tweed and marches into England. Jan 22 King Charles formally opens the Oxford Parliament . Feb 16 The Committee for Both Kingdoms formed to co-ordinate the Parliamentarian and Scottish armies. Mar 12 The trial of Archbishop Laud opens in London. Mar 21 Prince Rupert relieves the siege of Newark . Mar 29 Sir William Waller defeats Lord Forth and Lord Hopton at the battle of Cheriton ; Parliament's first decisive victory of the war. Apr 20 Allied Parliamentarian and Scottish armies besiege York . May 16 Prince Rupert marches for the relief of York. Jul 02 Battle of Marston Moor : Royalist power in the north of England ended. Aug 30 The Marquis of Montrose raises his standard in Scotland. Sep 02 The Earl of Essex abandons his army at Lostwithiel . Sep 18 Battle of Montgomery : Parliamentarians gain control of central Wales. Oct 27 Second battle of Newbury : Parliamentarian commanders bickering. Nov 25 Oliver Cromwell presents his complaints against the leadership of the Earl of Manchester in the House of Commons.

English Civil Wars | English history | Britannica.com English Civil Wars Alternative Titles: Great Rebellion, Wars of the Three Kingdoms Related Topics William Cavendish, 1st duke of Newcastle-upon-Tyne English Civil Wars, also called Great Rebellion, (1642–51), fighting that took place in the British Isles between supporters of the monarchy of Charles I (and his son and successor, Charles II ) and opposing groups in each of Charles’s kingdoms, including Parliamentarians in England , Covenanters in Scotland , and Confederates in Ireland . The civil wars are traditionally considered to have begun in England in August 1642, when Charles I raised an army against the wishes of Parliament , ostensibly to deal with a rebellion in Ireland. But the period of conflict actually began earlier in Scotland, with the Bishops’ Wars of 1639–40, and in Ireland, with the Ulster rebellion of 1641. Throughout the 1640s, war between king and Parliament ravaged England, but it also struck all of the kingdoms held by the house of Stuart —and, in addition to war between the various British and Irish dominions, there was civil war within each of the Stuart states.

For this reason the English Civil Wars might more properly be called the British Civil Wars or the Wars of the Three Kingdoms . The wars finally ended in 1651 with the flight of Charles II to France and, with him, the hopes of the British monarchy. Battle of Naseby, by an unknown artist. The victory of the … Photos.com/Jupiterimages United Kingdom: Civil war and revolution Compared with the chaos unleashed by the Thirty Years’ War (1618–48) on the European continent, the British Isles under Charles I enjoyed relative peace and economic prosperity during the 1630s. However, by the later 1630s, Charles’s regime had become unpopular across a broad front throughout his kingdoms. During the period of his so-called Personal Rule (1629–40), known by his enemies as the “Eleven Year Tyranny” because he had dissolved Parliament and ruled by decree, Charles had resorted to dubious fiscal expedients, most notably “ ship money ,” an annual levy for the reform of the navy that in 1635 was extended from English ports to inland towns. This inclusion of inland towns was construed as a new tax without parliamentary authorization.

When combined with ecclesiastical reforms undertaken by Charles’s close adviser William Laud , the archbishop of Canterbury , and with the conspicuous role assumed in these reforms by Henrietta Maria , Charles’s Catholic queen, and her courtiers, many in England became alarmed. Nevertheless, despite grumblings, there is little doubt that had Charles managed to rule his other dominions as he controlled England, his peaceful reign might have been extended indefinitely. Scotland and Ireland proved his undoing. Charles I, king of Great Britain and Ireland. Photos.com/Thinkstock Crimean War In 1633 Thomas Wentworth became lord deputy of Ireland and set out to govern that country without regard for any interest but that of the crown. His thorough policies aimed to make Ireland financially self-sufficient; to enforce religious conformity with the Church of England as defined by Laud, Wentworth’s close friend and ally; to “civilize” the Irish; and to extend royal control throughout Ireland by establishing British plantations and challenging Irish titles to land. Wentworth’s actions alienated both the Protestant and the Catholic ruling elites in Ireland. In much the same way, Charles’s willingness to tamper with Scottish land titles unnerved landowners there.

However, it was Charles’s attempt in 1637 to introduce a modified version of the English Book of Common Prayer that provoked a wave of riots in Scotland, beginning at the Church of St. Giles in Edinburgh . A National Covenant calling for immediate withdrawal of the prayer book was speedily drawn up on February 28, 1638. Despite its moderate tone and conservative format, the National Covenant was a radical manifesto against the Personal Rule of Charles I that justified a revolt against the interfering sovereign . The Bishops’ Wars and the return of Parliament (1640–42) History of Warfare The turn of events in Scotland horrified Charles, who determined to bring the rebellious Scots to heel. However, the Covenanters , as the Scottish rebels became known, quickly overwhelmed the poorly trained English army, forcing the king to sign a peace treaty at Berwick (June 18, 1639). Though the Covenanters had won the first Bishops’ War , Charles refused to concede victory and called an English parliament, seeing it as the only way to raise money quickly. Parliament assembled in April 1640, but it lasted only three weeks (and hence became known as the Short Parliament ).

The House of Commons was willing to vote the huge sums that the king needed to finance his war against the Scots, but not until their grievances—some dating back more than a decade—had been redressed. Furious, Charles precipitately dissolved the Short Parliament. As a result, it was an untrained, ill-armed, and poorly paid force that trailed north to fight the Scots in the second Bishops’ War. On August 20, 1640, the Covenanters invaded England for the second time, and in a spectacular military campaign they took Newcastle following the Battle of Newburn (August 28). Demoralized and humiliated, the king had no alternative but to negotiate and, at the insistence of the Scots, to recall parliament. Britannica Stories Ringling Bros. Folds Its Tent A new parliament (the Long Parliament ), which no one dreamed would sit for the next 20 years, assembled at Westminster on November 3, 1640, and immediately called for the impeachment of Wentworth, who by now was the earl of Strafford.

The lengthy trial at Westminster, ending with Strafford’s execution on May 12, 1641, was orchestrated by Protestants and Catholics from Ireland, by Scottish Covenanters, and by the king’s English opponents, especially the leader of Commons, John Pym —effectively highlighting the importance of the connections between all the Stuart kingdoms at this critical junction. John Pym, detail of an engraving by G. Glover, 1644, after a portrait by Edward Bower. Courtesy of the trustees of the British Museum To some extent, the removal of Strafford’s draconian hand facilitated the outbreak in October 1641 of the Ulster uprising in Ireland. This rebellion derived, on the one hand, from long-term social, religious, and economic causes (namely tenurial insecurity, economic instability, indebtedness, and a desire to have the Roman Catholic Church restored to its pre- Reformation position) and, on the other hand, from short-term political factors that triggered the outbreak of violence. Inevitably, bloodshed and unnecessary cruelty accompanied the insurrection, which quickly engulfed the island and took the form of a popular rising, pitting Catholic natives against Protestant newcomers.

The extent of the “massacre” of Protestants was exaggerated, especially in England where the wildest rumours were readily believed. Perhaps 4,000 settlers lost their lives—a tragedy to be sure, but a far cry from the figure of 154,000 the Irish government suggested had been butchered. Much more common was the plundering and pillaging of Protestant property and the theft of livestock. These human and material losses were replicated on the Catholic side as the Protestants retaliated. Connect with Britannica Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram Pinterest The Irish insurrection immediately precipitated a political crisis in England, as Charles and his Westminster Parliament argued over which of them should control the army to be raised to quell the Irish insurgents. Had Charles accepted the list of grievances presented to him by Parliament in the Grand Remonstrance of December 1641 and somehow reconciled their differences, the revolt in Ireland almost certainly would have been quashed with relative ease. Instead, Charles mobilized for war on his own, raising his standard at Nottingham in August 1642. The Wars of the Three Kingdoms had begun in earnest.

This also marked the onset of the first English Civil War fought between forces loyal to Charles I and those who served Parliament. After a period of phony war late in 1642, the basic shape of the English Civil War was of Royalist advance in 1643 and then steady Parliamentarian attrition and expansion. The first English Civil War (1642–46) The first major battle fought on English soil—the Battle of Edgehill (October 1642)—quickly demonstrated that a clear advantage was enjoyed by neither the Royalists (also known as the Cavaliers ) nor the Parliamentarians (also known as the Roundheads for their short-cropped hair, in contrast to the long hair and wigs associated with the Cavaliers). Although recruiting, equipping, and supplying their armies initially proved problematic for both sides, by the end of 1642 each had armies of between 60,000 and 70,000 men in the field.

However, sieges and skirmishes—rather than pitched battles—dominated the military landscape in England during the first Civil War, as local garrisons, determined to destroy the economic basis of their opponents while preserving their own resources, scrambled for territory. Charles, with his headquarters in Oxford , enjoyed support in the north and west of England, in Wales , and (after 1643) in Ireland. Parliament controlled the much wealthier areas in the south and east of England together with most of the key ports and, critically, London , the financial capital of the kingdom. In order to win the war, Charles needed to capture London, and this was something that he consistently failed to do. England during the Civil Wars. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Editor Picks: Exploring 10 Types of Basketball Movies Yet Charles prevented the Parliamentarians from smashing his main field army. The result was an effective military stalemate until the triumph of the Roundheads at the Battle of Marston Moor (July 2, 1644).

This decisive victory deprived the king of two field armies and, equally important, paved the way for the reform of the parliamentary armies with the creation of the New Model Army , completed in April 1645. Thus, by 1645 Parliament had created a centralized standing army, with central funding and central direction. The New Model Army now moved against the Royalist forces. Their closely fought victory at the Battle of Naseby (June 14, 1645) proved the turning point in parliamentary fortunes and marked the beginning of a string of stunning successes—Langport (July 10), Rowton Heath (September 24), and Annan Moor (October 21)—that eventually forced the king to surrender to the Scots at Newark on May 5, 1646. Oliver Cromwell at the Battle of Marston Moor. Photos.com/Jupiterimages Strategic plan for the Battle of Naseby, June 14, 1645; from Anglia Rediviva (1647). © The British Library/Heritage-Images It is doubtful whether Parliament could have won the first English Civil War without Scottish intervention.

Royalist successes in England in the spring and early summer of 1643, combined with the prospect of aid from Ireland for the king, prompted the Scottish Covenanters to sign a political, military, and religious alliance—the Solemn League and Covenant (September 25, 1643)—with the English Parliamentarians. Desperate to protect their revolution at home, the Covenanters insisted upon the establishment of Presbyterianism in England and in return agreed to send an army of 21,000 men to serve there. These troops played a critical role at Marston Moor, with the covenanting general, David Leslie, briefly replacing a wounded Oliver Cromwell in the midst of the action. For his part, Charles looked to Ireland for support. However, the Irish troops that finally arrived in Wales after a cease-fire was concluded with the confederates in September 1643 never equaled the Scottish presence, while the king’s willingness to secure aid from Catholic Ireland sullied his reputation in England. Oliver Cromwell, portrait attributed to Anthony van Dyck.

Hulton Archive/Getty Images Conflicts in Scotland and Ireland Trending Topics Eyjafjallajökull volcano The presence of a large number of Scottish troops in England should not detract from the fact that Scots experienced their own domestic conflict after 1638. In Scotland loyalty to the Covenant, the king, and the house of Argyll resulted in a lengthy and, at times, bloody civil war that began in February 1639, when the Covenanters seized Inverness , and ended with the surrender of Dunnottar castle, near Aberdeen , in May 1652. Initially, the Scottish Royalists under the command of James Graham, earl of Montrose , won a string of victories at Tippermuir (September 1, 1644), Aberdeen (September 13), Inverlochy (February 2, 1645), Auldearn (May 9), Alford (July 2), and Kilsyth (August 15) before being decisively routed by the Covenanters at Philiphaugh (September 13). Marquess of Montrose, portrait miniature after a painting by W.

Dobson; in the Wallace Collection, … Courtesy of the trustees of the Wallace Collection, London Like Scotland, Ireland fought its own civil war (also called the Confederate Wars). Between 1642 and 1649, the Irish Confederates, with their capital at Kilkenny , directed the Catholic war effort, while James Butler, earl of Ormonde , commanded the king’s Protestant armies. In September 1643, the two sides concluded a cease-fire, but they failed to negotiate a lasting political and religious settlement acceptable to all parties. James Butler, 1st duke of Ormonde, detail of a painting after Sir Peter Lely, c. 1665; in the … Courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery, London Second and third English Civil Wars (1648–51) Although the Scottish Covenanters had made a significant contribution to Parliament’s victory in the first English Civil War, during the second (1648) and third English Civil Wars (1650–51) they supported the king. On December 26, 1647, Charles signed an agreement—known as the Engagement —with a number of leading Covenanters.

In return for the establishment of Presbyterianism in England for a period of three years, the Scots promised to join forces with the English Royalists and restore the king to his throne. Early in July 1648, a Scottish force invaded England, but the parliamentary army routed it at the Battle of Preston (August 17). The execution of Charles I in January 1649 merely served to galvanize Scottish (and Irish) support for the king’s son, Charles II , who was crowned king of the Scots at Scone , near Perth , on January 1, 1651. Ultimately, the defeat of a combined force of Irish Royalists and Confederates at the hands of English Parliamentarians after August 1649 prevented the Irishmen from serving alongside their Scottish and English allies in the third English Civil War. As it was, this war was largely fought on Scottish soil, Oliver Cromwell and his New Model Army having invaded Scotland in July 1650.

Despite being routed at the Battle of Dunbar (September 3, 1650), which Cromwell regarded as “one of the most signal mercies God hath done for England and His people,” the Scots managed to raise another army that made a spectacular dash into England. This wild attempt to capture London came to nothing. Cromwell’s resounding victory at Worcester (September 3, 1651) and Charles II’s subsequent flight to France not only gave Cromwell control over England but also effectively ended the wars of—and the wars in—the three kingdoms. Charles II, 19th-century engraving by William Finden. © iStockphoto/Thinkstock Cost and legacy While it is notoriously difficult to determine the number of casualties in any war, it has been estimated that the conflict in England and Wales claimed about 85,000 lives in combat, with a further 127,000 noncombat deaths (including some 40,000 civilians). The fighting in Scotland and Ireland, where the populations were roughly a fifth of that of England, was more brutal still.

As many as 15,000 civilians perished in Scotland, and a further 137,000 Irish civilians may well have died as a result of the wars there. In all nearly 200,000 people, or roughly 2.5 percent of the civilian population, lost their lives directly or indirectly as a result of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms during this decade, making the Civil Wars arguably the bloodiest conflict in the history of the British Isles. These were the last civil wars ever fought on English—but not Scottish or Irish—soil, and they have bequeathed a lasting legacy . Ever since this period, the peoples of the three kingdoms have had a profound distrust of standing armies, while ideas first mooted during the 1640s, particularly about religious toleration and limitations on power, have survived to this day. More about English Civil Wars 30 References found in Britannica Articles Assorted References Edgehill, 1642 : first battle of the English Civil War (Book, 2005) [WorldCat.org] John Tincey & Keith Roberts.

Abstract: "This title looks at the battle of Edgehill, the first major clash of the English Civil War. In 1642 both Royalists and Parliamentarians expected that one great contest of arms would see the crushing of their enemies. When their field armies blundered into contact on the evening of October 22, 1642, Prince Rupert urged King Charles to array his army on the great ridge of Edgehill and give battle. The next day, amidst abject cowardice and absolute courage, the tide of battle swept Rupert's cavalry to triumph, but saw victory snatched away as the Royalist infantry was hurled back by the defiant Parliamentarians. The chance for decisive victory was lost and the bloody civil war raged on."--Jacket. Reviews Add a review and share your thoughts with other readers. Be the first. Add a review and share your thoughts with other readers. Be the first. Tags Add tags for "Edgehill, 1642 : first battle of the English Civil War". Be the first.

Similar Items a schema:Review ; schema:itemReviewed < > ; # Edgehill, 1642 : first battle of the English Civil War schema:reviewBody ""This title looks at the battle of Edgehill, the first major clash of the English Civil War. In 1642 both Royalists and Parliamentarians expected that one great contest of arms would see the crushing of their enemies. When their field armies blundered into contact on the evening of October 22, 1642, Prince Rupert urged King Charles to array his army on the great ridge of Edgehill and give battle. The next day, amidst abject cowardice and absolute courage, the tide of battle swept Rupert's cavalry to triumph, but saw victory snatched away as the Royalist infantry was hurled back by the defiant Parliamentarians. The chance for decisive victory was lost and the bloody civil war raged on."--Jacket." ; .

Question: Which battle was the first battle of the English Civil Was in 1642?
Answer: The battle of Edgehill